He was born in Middletown, Connecticut, to Alanson and Amelia (Forbes) Work. His father opposed slavery, and Work was himself an active abolitionist and Union supporter. His family's home became a stop on the Underground Railroad, assisting runaway slaves to freedom in Canada, for which his father was once imprisoned.

Work was self taught in music. By the time he was 23, he worked as a printer in Chicago, specializing in setting musical type. He allegedly composed in his head as he worked, without a piano, using the noise of the machinery as an inspiration. His first published song was ... more »

Come Home, Father!

'Tis The SONG OF LITTLE MARY, Standing at the bar-room door While the shameful midnight revel Rages wildly as before.

Father, dear father, come home with me now!The clock in the steeple strikes one; You said you were coming right home from the shop,As soon as your day's work was done.Our fire has gone out our house is all darkAnd mother's been watching since tea, --With poor brother Benny so sick in her arms,And no one to help her but me. --Come home! come home! come home! --Please, father, dear father, come home. --